Mumbai: Network18 group’s portfolio of channels have recently dominated the Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) ratings. In lieu of their achievements, the group’s managing director and editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi on Friday addressed the company’s 4500 employees in a heartfelt letter of congratulations.

The network’s news brand News18 India is the latest to join the bandwagon of the group’s leading channels in their respective genres. News18 India has garnered the highest share of ratings in the Hindi-speaking market (HSM) 15+ for three consecutive weeks and had 13.6 per cent share as of Week 31 (30 July to 5 August).

Joshi stated, “News18 India trounced Aaj Tak from its perch two weeks ago and widened its lead in the following week stamping its leadership authority. We’ve been in the top three for a long time, often beating Aaj Tak in the metros, but this time the lead is across time bands, age groups, socio-economic classes and what have you.”

He further continued, “Hats off to Team News18 India for this comprehensive win over Aaj Tak and others, such as India TV, and also those trailing a distance away, like Zee and ABP. We’re more convinced about our leadership since it comes on the back of both rising reach and time spent, which means the engagement with the brand is high and the leadership here to stay.”

Network18’s English general news brand CNN-News18 garnered 30 per cent share of the ratings among English news channels, 15 weeks ago. This is 60 per cent higher than its closest competitor Times now, the flagship channel of Times Network.

Joshi called English business news channel CNBC-TV18 as the group’s ‘crown jewel’ which opened with a market share of 80 per cent in the English business news genre when Barc first published ratings after a 17-month hiatus. The channel’s share in prime-time market hours was even greater at 90 per cent.

Network18’s digital news brand Moneycontrol has over half a million paid subscribers, over 55 million monthly unique users and 7.5 million app installs, revealed Joshi in the letter. This makes it the 14th biggest news brand globally in terms of paid subscribers. News18.com is fewer than six years old and has nearly 125 million monthly visitors who consume stories and videos in nearly every major Indian language. It is also the only digital brand to report live from 125 districts in the country, according to Joshi.

“The idea behind this note is not to brag about our achievements. Or, truth be told, not just that! I write this note with all humility to thank you for your contribution and ownership in taking our brands to leadership positions. What’s more heartening is that this time the turnaround has been driven by the young and restless at Network18,” said Joshi.

“I hope in the months and years ahead, you will make this giant media colossus dance to digital and social tunes. As we pivot the organisation into India’s largest multi-platform company with a digital DNA, I’m sure the young, restless, next-rung leadership will take charge and forge ahead.”

“The senior leadership team and I will continue to guide in the future, not so much as captain but as coach; not as hands-on leader but friend, philosopher, mentor. That alone will make your company a breeding ground for young talent, many of whom have taken our brands to leadership positions in the past few years.”

“The problem with being No. 1 is that there’s only one way to go—further up. The No. 1 attitude leaves no room for complacency; in fact, it instills a large dose of paranoia and restlessness to stay ahead. Always at the top,” he concludes.